CD Review: Kenny Shanker, "Vortex"

 

A year ago I reviewed Kenny Shanker's CD, "Beautiful Things" and I thought it was an amazing collection of music.  It describes perfectly the kind of music Kenny Shanker selects and plays.  Kenny Shanker is not just a great Alto and Soprano saxophonist, he also plays Piano and is an award-winning composer.  On Kenny's newly released album, "Vortex" he has put together a collection of original compositions and Jazz standards. 

Kenny Shanker's style excites me in the same way I was excited when I first discovered Jazz from the Dave Brubeck Quartet in the late 50's.  Kenny's tone and phrasing reminds me of my all-time favorite Alto player, Paul Desmond.  "Vortex" combines some of Shanker's favorite supporting players and all 10 songs on the playlist are terrific.

For all the up-and-coming Alto players reading this review, Kenny Shanker gives private lessons on Sax and Piano and you can find out more about this exciting opportunity by going to his site, www.kennyshanker.com.

I picked two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first one was picked because it's beautiful but because it is also a simply a classic Jazz tune, "Autumn Leaves".   The second song was written by Dave Brubeck and titled "The Duke" and gave me a very positive reminder about how much I love  Dave Brubeck and his quartet.  

Players:

Kenny Shanker- Alto and Soprano Sax

Bill Mobley-Trumpet

Daisuke Abe- Guitar

Mike Eckroth- Piano

Yoshi Waki- Bass

Brian Fishler- Drums

Playlist:

1. Vortex

2. Lulu's Back in Town

3. Winter Song

4. Hunter

5. Ramble

6. Nightfall

7. The Duke

8. Cinnamon

9. Midnight Snack

10. Autumn Leaves    

                                                                    "Autumn Leaves"

                                                                            "The Duke"